Tragic murders that rocked the Bass Coast community

A 12-year-old girl strangled near a beach and a mistress stabbed to death in her home — these are among the most tragic crimes that forever changed the Bass Coast.

Ethel Belshaw and Beth Barnard were tragically killed in the Bass Coast.

The Bass Coast has endured some horrific deaths — ones that have rocked the local community to its core.

Here are some of the most tragic murders that have left their lasting mark in the area.

JACK HAZELDENE

Wonthaggi man Jack Hazeldene was strangled to death in his home on March 5, 2005.

Police found an electrical cord wrapped around the 84-year-old man’s ankle and neck.

In 2006, a court heard the cause of death was strangulation and there was evidence of blunt head trauma.

Mary Rose Curtis pleaded guilty to Mr Hazeldene’s murder and was sentenced in 2006 to 14 years imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years.

BETH BARNARD

Victoria Police have confirmed the investigation into Beth Barnard’s unsolved murder remains open.

Beth Barnard was brutally stabbed to death in her Rhyll home in September 1986.

Her body was riddled with slash wounds and the letter ‘A’ carved into her chest.

Police quickly established a link between the ‘A’ carved into Ms Barnard’s chest and her affair with wealthy businessman Fergus Cameron.

It was concluded that suspected killer Vivienne Cameron — wife of Fergus Cameron — jumped to her death off the San Remo Bridge despite her body never being found.

A podcast was released in 2020 that explores whether Cameron actually murdered Beth Barnard and how she vanished without a trace.

MARGARETTA WILLIAMS

Margaretta Williams was found dead with her throat cut in her sister-in-law’s house in Wonthaggi in September 1928.

William Watson Carr made a confession that he had cut Ms Williams throat during a quarrel and subsequently he was charged with her murder.

Carr was originally sentenced to death but instead was given life imprisonment.

ETHEL BELSHAW AND JUNE RUSHMER

Ethel Belshaw was tragically murdered by Arnold Sodeman in 1935.

Ethel Belshaw, 12, and June Rushmer, 6, were tragically murdered by Arnold Sodeman in 1935 after killing two other girls in 1930 and 1931.

Ethel Belshaw was strangled and her body was found in a small clearing off a track at the end of Pier Road in Inverloch on January 1.

Ms Belshaw was intending to buy an ice cream when she disappeared.

June Rushmer was taken from a local park on December 1 and her body was found the following day near her Leongatha home.

Sodeman confessed to the four killings before being executed at Pentridge Prison in 1936.

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